Perforated plate silicon seals#165

Hello Grainfather,

The silicon seals around the rim of the upper and lower perforated plates seem to be one of the most commonly reported issues/frustrations with the G30. They are a fiddle at best and often a cause of major frustration for some each time the plates need to be put into position. There are a number of user suggestions that can improve the experience for some such as…

• Wetting malt pipe with StarSan.
• Dusting with grain dust.
• Fitting the bottom plate while fully submerged.
• Fitting the plates after the mash water has heated.
• Putting the plates with seals in the freezer.
• Submerging the malt pipe and pulling up quickly using the water as resistance.
• Using the top plate without the seal on, to push the bottom plate into position.
• Screwing bottom plate down without seal.

Some users are even resorting to welding the bottom plate into position permanantely.

In my mind, this is a relatively easy issue to remedy. If the width of the seal was increased inwards to say 15mm instead of the current 7mm or so, it would hold onto the rim much better when trying to put the plates into position. Currently, the seal is only clinging to the rim of the plate by approx 4mm.

Can you please advise if there are any plans in place currently to address this issue?

I enquired at getting the seals manufactured myself and maybe selling them as an after-market part however the one off cost of creating the mold is around $650USD. I’m sure it would be much less for you with your existing connections, and a relatively cheap ‘continuous product improvement’.

I would not want to explore this any further if Grainfather have a fix in their plans for the near future.

Thanks

i agree mine come off or dislodge all the time.. they are a weak link in the system would be nice if there was a thicker gasket that had more mass above and below the mesh plate to better hold it in place as well as prevent slippage when moving

Was thinking something like this. My metal plate dimensions may differ slightly from actual Grainfather spec due to measuring technique but I’m not proposing modifying the metal plate dimensions… I’m suggesting modifying the seal only. Measurements are to illustrate increased silicone seal thickness etc.

Would take it a step further not only increasing the width but also increasing the diameter making the entire gasket thicker and also making the screen slightly smaller to accommodate a thicker more sturdier gasket

Yeah, in my drawing I’ve made the plate thickness including the seal 2mm thicker. Current seal thickness each side of the plate is around 1.5mm. I propose 2.5mm. The main thing is making it wider towards the centre of the plate. By doubling the width I’m sure it would hang on better. Not sure you’d want to extend any further on the outside of the plate rim (even if plate was made smaller) as this would act as leverage to dislodge it, plus you risk the bottom plate falling through if it were made smaller.

This sounds like a sensible and cost effective solution.

Just got my Grainfather and immediately struck this problem. Bloody nightmare. I ended up putting the bottom plate with the seal in place in my freezer for 15 minutes. Not sure if it was the shrinkage of the plate or the firming of the seal that did it, but it did the job.
But yes, this is the major weakness of the system, snd it needs to be addressed.

Great idea, lets see how responsive GF are. Have they come back to you with a response?

Possibly Lucas, although maybe if you used enough silicone as to not allow grain to be lodged. Similar to Jasons idea but using silicone glue to make up the 2.5mm. That’s if such a suitable glue exists and would be robust enough.

I got a reply today. Latest is they have been playing with the idea for some time but are also considering whether plates with rolled edges (like the G70) would work better. I wouldn’t be opposed to plates with rolled edges. Would cost more initially but at least you would only do it once. Will be interesting to see what they end up doing… just hope they do something soon.

Thanks for the update Jason. I’d be putting my vote down fo the rolled edges way also. Definitely the most robust and cleanest solution

Any further movement on this issue, Jason? I thought I had brought the problem under control by freezing the plates, but the bottom seal hasa dislodged either fully or partially in my last two brew days.

Hi Lucas,

I was optimistic at first but I’m sort of resigned to the fact that Grainfather either don’t take the problem seriously, have plans for a fix but aren’t telling anyone or… I don’t know. Disappointing, as it is a pretty easy fix and would remove a great deal of frustration for many users.

Feel the same pain

By the looks of this UK listing, a fix may not be too far away… https://www.themaltmiller.co.uk/product/grainfather-g30-rolled-plates-kit/

at over $100 us, this is rediculous.